Cambridge IGCSE · 0510

English as a Second Language

Extended writing — Paper 1

Name: ____________________Date: October 4, 2026

1.
Write an email to a friend describing a trip you recently took. Include where you went, one thing you enjoyed, and one thing that surprised you.
[4 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- States a clear destination.
- Describes one specific thing enjoyed, with a little detail.
- Describes one thing that was surprising.
- Uses an informal, friendly tone appropriate for a message to a friend.
Examiner tip: Cover all three content points with a little detail each, rather than writing a lot about only one.
2.
Write a formal email to a shop complaining that a product you bought online arrived damaged. Explain the problem and state what you would like the shop to do.
[4 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- Clearly states what was ordered and that it arrived damaged.
- Gives one specific detail about the damage.
- States a clear, reasonable request, such as a replacement or refund.
- Uses a polite, formal tone appropriate for a complaint to a business.
Examiner tip: A complaint email is more effective when it stays polite and states exactly what outcome you want.
3.
Write a short review of a café or restaurant you have visited, for a local website. Mention the food, the service, and whether you would recommend it.
[3 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- Comments specifically on the food.
- Comments specifically on the service.
- Gives a clear recommendation, with a brief reason.
Examiner tip: Give a specific example for each point (a dish, a staff interaction) rather than only general adjectives like ‘good’ or ‘bad’.
4.
Write a message to your teacher explaining that you were absent yesterday due to illness, and asking what homework you missed.
[4 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- Clearly states the reason for the absence.
- States which day the absence occurred.
- Clearly asks what homework or work was missed.
- Uses a polite, reasonably formal tone appropriate for writing to a teacher.
Examiner tip: Be direct and brief: state the reason, the day, and your question, without unnecessary extra detail.
5.
Write a short article for your school newsletter about a recent school event, such as a sports day or concert. Describe what happened and how people reacted.
[4 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- States clearly what the event was.
- Describes one specific thing that happened during the event.
- Describes how people reacted or felt about it.
- Uses a tone appropriate for a school newsletter article — informative and a little lively.
Examiner tip: A newsletter article should inform readers clearly, while still sounding engaging rather than like a formal report.
6.
Write a short set of tips for a new student who has just moved to your city, helping them settle in. Give at least two pieces of practical advice.
[3 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- Gives one clear, practical piece of advice.
- Gives a second, distinct piece of practical advice.
- Uses a friendly, encouraging and helpful tone.
Examiner tip: Practical advice is specific and actionable (‘download the bus app’), not vague (‘get used to the city’).
7.
Write a short diary entry about a memorable day, describing what happened and how you felt.
[3 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- Describes at least one specific event from the day.
- Expresses a clear feeling connected to that event.
- Uses a personal, reflective tone appropriate for a diary entry.
Examiner tip: A diary entry is personal and reflective — focus on your own feelings and reactions, not just a list of events.
8.
Write a letter to a language school asking for information about their evening courses, including the price and the course times.
[4 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- Clearly states the purpose: requesting information about evening courses.
- Asks specifically about the price.
- Asks specifically about the course times.
- Uses a polite, formal tone and layout appropriate for a letter to an institution.
Examiner tip: When requesting information, list your specific questions clearly so they are easy for the reader to answer.
9.
Write an email to a friend describing your first week at a new school, including one thing you enjoyed and one thing you found difficult.
[3 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- Describes one specific thing enjoyed, with some detail.
- Describes one specific thing found difficult.
- Uses a friendly, informal tone appropriate for an email to a friend.
Examiner tip: Balancing one positive and one negative point makes a description feel honest and realistic.
10.
Write a formal email to an airline explaining that your luggage did not arrive with your flight, and asking what you should do next.
[4 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- Clearly states the problem: the luggage did not arrive.
- Gives relevant details, such as the flight number or date.
- Clearly asks what should be done next.
- Uses a polite, formal tone appropriate for contacting an airline.
Examiner tip: Include reference details like a flight number whenever you report a problem to a company, so they can find your booking quickly.
11.
Write a short review of a mobile phone app you use often, mentioning what it does, what you like about it, and one thing that could be improved.
[3 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- States clearly what the app does.
- States one specific thing the writer likes about it.
- States one specific area for improvement.
Examiner tip: A useful review always balances what works well with at least one honest area for improvement.
12.
Write a message to a teacher explaining that you did not understand part of today's lesson, and asking if you could have some extra help.
[3 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- Clearly identifies which part of the lesson was not understood.
- Politely asks for extra help.
- Uses an appropriately respectful tone for writing to a teacher.
Examiner tip: Being specific about what you did not understand makes it much easier for a teacher to help you effectively.
13.
Write a short article for a community newsletter about a new park that has opened in your neighbourhood, describing what it offers.
[3 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- States clearly what the new park offers (e.g. playground, benches, walking paths).
- Describes who might enjoy using it.
- Uses an informative, positive tone appropriate for a community newsletter.
Examiner tip: Community newsletter writing should be welcoming and informative, helping readers picture themselves using the new facility.
14.
Write a short set of tips for someone visiting your country for the first time, giving at least two pieces of practical advice.
[3 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- Gives one clear, practical piece of advice.
- Gives a second, distinct piece of practical advice.
- Uses a friendly, helpful tone appropriate for advice to a visitor.
Examiner tip: Useful travel advice is specific and practical, such as about transport or local customs, not vague general statements.
15.
Write a short diary entry about a day when something did not go as planned, describing what happened and how you felt.
[3 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- Describes a specific event that did not go as planned.
- Expresses a clear feeling connected to the event.
- Uses a personal, reflective tone appropriate for a diary entry.
Examiner tip: A diary entry should reflect honestly on both what happened and how it made you feel, not just list events.
16.
Write a letter to a sports club asking about joining as a new member, including any questions you have about cost or schedule.
[3 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- Clearly states interest in joining as a new member.
- Asks a specific question about cost or schedule.
- Uses a polite, appropriately formal tone for contacting a club.
Examiner tip: State your overall interest first, then follow with specific, answerable questions.
17.
Write a short blog post about a book or film you enjoyed recently, explaining what it was about and why you liked it.
[3 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- Briefly explains what the book or film was about.
- Gives at least one specific reason for enjoying it.
- Uses a personal, engaging blog-style tone.
Examiner tip: A specific reason (a character, a scene, a feeling it gave you) is more convincing than just saying it was ‘good’.
18.
Write a message to a friend suggesting a specific plan for the weekend and asking if they would like to join.
[3 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- Suggests one specific activity or plan.
- Clearly invites the friend to join.
- Uses a friendly, casual tone appropriate for a message to a friend.
Examiner tip: A specific plan (time, place, activity) is easier for a friend to say yes to than a vague suggestion like ‘let's do something’.
19.
Write a short notice for a school board advertising a lost item (such as a watch) that you found, describing it and explaining how to claim it.
[2 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- Describes the found item clearly.
- Explains clearly how to claim it (e.g. where or who to contact).
Examiner tip: A found-item notice should describe the object clearly enough that only its real owner would recognise all the details.
20.
Write a formal email to a landlord reporting a problem in your apartment, such as a broken heater, and asking when it could be repaired.
[3 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- Clearly describes the problem.
- Politely asks when the repair could be done.
- Uses a formal, respectful tone appropriate for writing to a landlord.
Examiner tip: State the problem plainly and let the urgency speak for itself, rather than sounding demanding.
21.
Write a short congratulations message to a friend who has just started a new job, wishing them well.
[3 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- Clearly congratulates the friend on the new job.
- Expresses genuine good wishes for the future.
- Uses a warm, friendly tone appropriate for a congratulations message.
Examiner tip: A congratulations message feels more genuine when it mentions the specific achievement, not just a generic ‘well done’.
22.
Write a short email to a course organiser asking to cancel your registration for a class, and asking whether a refund is possible.
[3 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- Clearly states the request to cancel the registration.
- Politely asks about the possibility of a refund.
- Uses a polite, appropriately formal tone for contacting an organiser.
Examiner tip: State the cancellation request first and clearly, then follow with your refund question.
23.
Write a short set of instructions for a classmate explaining how to use the school's online homework portal.
[2 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- Gives clear, logically ordered steps.
- Uses simple, direct language appropriate for instructions.
Examiner tip: Instructions are clearest when each step is a short, direct sentence in the correct order.
24.
Write a short email to a friend asking for advice about choosing between two subjects for next year, explaining your dilemma.
[3 marks] · no calculator
Marking points
- Clearly explains the dilemma (the two options being considered).
- Asks clearly for the friend's advice or opinion.
- Uses a friendly, informal tone appropriate for an email to a friend.
Examiner tip: Explain both options briefly and clearly before asking for advice, so your friend has enough information to respond helpfully.